Memory-Foam Headphones That Sound as Good as They Feel

Image: KEF

For the past 10 years, I’ve basically treated my earbuds as disposable goods. I rarely spend more than $20 on a pair of them, because I know they’ll end up lost, broken, or missing a single ear rubber-thingy. They generally have a lifespan of four months, tops.

That’s not to say you don’t get a lot for your money. The M500s are clearly built to last. The meat of the construction consists of a lightweight aluminum alloy, which is supremely sturdy and features a fold-and-swivel hinge above the earpads for folding them up. Those earpads also happen to be incredibly comfy. They’re made of memory-foam, which means they won’t get overly warm or feel tight on your ears, and have a pleasant oval shape that more accurately reflects the shape of most human ears. The whole package fits into a sturdy, hard-shell taco of a carrying case.

Most importantly though, the M500s sound great. Two 40mm neodymium-magnet drivers deliver rich sound, with deep (but not overpowering) bass. The low end stays sharp and distortion-free even when you’re bumping Miami-style rap. But these headphones truly excel at the high end and the mid-range, where they sound crisp and tight.

Weak spots? Mainly the high asking price for casual users, and the fact that the sound leaks a little bit at high volumes. Still, the KEF M500s sound great, look great, and feel great — which is more than enough to turn me into a higher-priced headphone guy.